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A Healthy Neutz Leads a Talented Receiving Corps
3/28/2012 12:00:00 AM | Football
BUFFALO, NY – Alex Neutz was catching everything thrown his way at Tuesday's spring football practice at UB Stadium and that was a good sign considering the Bulls' wide receiver was lost late last season to a broken wrist. Wearing a black brace on his wrist, Neutz says he is healing nicely and happy to be back on the field.
"It's getting better, but I have a little bit more to go," Neutz said. "I have this bulky wrist brace on now. I just need a little more flexibility and a little more confidence and I'll be fine."
Neutz stood out as Buffalo's best wide receiver in 2011 before being tackled from behind and falling awkwardly on his wrist at Miami (OH) on Oct. 29. The Grand Island, NY native had 43 catches for 641 yards and four touchdowns on the season. Though he only played in nine games, Neutz still led the Bulls in receiving yards and touchdowns. He averaged nearly 15 yards per catch.
Neutz leads a talented group of young wide receivers that show a lot of promise. The Bulls only have one senior wide receiver on the roster.
"We're a strong receiving corps," Neutz said. "We all bring different things to the table and that make us a good, cohesive unit."
Fred Lee played in 11 games last year and earned the start in the final three in Neutz's place. The junior-to-be had 20 catches for 139 yards. 15 of his 20 receptions came over the final four games of the season. He had the best game of his career against Akron when he had six catches for 52 yards and a pair of touchdowns.
As a redshirt freshman, Devon Hughes lined up primarily as a slot receiver and had 18 catches for 123 yards. He had four or more catches in three different games, including a season-best five receptions against Eastern Michigan.
Saron Hood is the Bulls' lone senior wideout. With the departure of Marcus Rivers, Terrell Jackson and Ed Young, Hood is sure to get a lot more playing time in 2012.
Sophomore's Cordero Dixon, Rudy Johnson, John Dunmore and redshirt-freshman Ron Willoughby round out UB's returning receivers.
A healthy Neutz is excited about the Bulls' prospects in 2012.
"We have a great team coming back," Neutz said. "We have a great offense coming back and a new defense we're excited about. We're absolutely going to improve."
